North Thurston High School JanuaryRAMPAGE 25, 2013 Issue 505 Food For All... Right?by Chelsie Bopp The students of 110 school that is a possibility for some students, many athletes, and of many clubs in which districts in Washington state have been the others such as Treshon Long (Jr.) prefer to requires students to stay after school. subject of Michelle Obama’s new lunch buy their lunch items off campus, where Some students don’t get home from activi- program, named the Healthy, Hunger-Free food has relatively more bang for your ties until 5:30 PM, which is a long time to Kids Act of 2010. With the help of the the buck. Some students, like Ryan Joiner go with the amount of food provided with United States Department of Agriculture (Fr.) pay for more than one lunch option, school lunches. A nameless lunch employ- (or the USDA), the lunches were able to to stay adequately nourished. ee replied to the question, “Is this enough begin their transformation. These changes, “Is this enough food for for you to be adequately nourished?” with became effective fall of 2012. The point of “yes, but in perspective, a 6 foot youth the program, is to avoid teenage obesity, you to be adequately would probably not be full.” This particu- and to get students on a track that will nourished?” lar lunch worker also commented that this benefit their health later in life. Some of “Yes, but in perspective, program was another way the government the rules entailed are: requiring students a 6 foot youth would is trying to control our lives, and implied to take a half cup serving of fruits and probably not be full.” that she was not very pleased with the vegetables, providing whole grains, offer- [ ] changes that have occurred in our school. ing meals that meet specific calorie ranges One important detail in the for each schooling level, the option to take program states that elementary schools get a 100% juice cup, offering 100% UNfla- a smaller serving of food, while middle vored milk and regulating the amount of schools get a medium serving size, and the main dish for lunch. All of the infor- high schoolers get the largest serving size P mation regarding the lunch changes made, possible. This is what is to be consid- h o t are available on the district web page, ered regulating the lunches, based on the o b y under the Food and Nutrition Service tab student sizes. What the USDA doesn’t M at http://www.nthurston.k12.wa.us//Do- realize, is that every person in our school e g a main/92. has a different appetite. The amount of n Upon asking students about the calories one should eat a day depends on W i l s lunch changes, I received mixed answers. many factors, such as age, height, weight, o n Some are aware of the program, while sex, and overall health. Considering there others are clueless. Not many knew of the are no two people alike who share all of specifications the program entailed. One these qualities, how can it be expected of thing is sure, students are going hungry. us that we eat healthy when each of us has Colin Miller (Fr.) states “It’s twice as a different norm of food consumption, and A typical breakfast style lunch meal. much money to get two pieces of pizza. I there is only one option-which is only 800 ended up bringing my own lunch.” While calories. North Thurston is the home of Mission Statement The ambition of the RamPage is to provide the staff and students of North Thurston High School with an unbiased pub- lication with an open outlook and to promote the free-flow of information. We strive to ensure that all students are well represented in our newspaper regardless of race, gender, religion, or class. In our efforts to do so, we agree to accept articles submitted by students and teachers. However, we reserve the right to edit and revise articles as we see fit. 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News 2 What is it Worth: Benefits of AP Courses by Anita Richards & Cheyenne Watler Students in Advanced Placement (AP) classes are all week, while others cram for the test the night before. Something feeling the heat as the final exam quickly approaches. Many of that comes along with the stress is the fear of not having a social them even begin to wonder whether or not AP classes are worth life in High School. While some people are out partying and it by the end of the year. These classes can be a lot to handle, and going out on the weekends, some students in AP might feel like most students agree it takes a higher level of determination to this is impossible. Just being in these classes teaches students master the concepts (along with the extra loads of work). Social that they have to organize their time wisely to have any free time life and other work from general education classes often get put to spend with friends. Between getting jobs and keeping up their on the back burner, while students try to meet the high demands study habits, not much time remains. “AP is different because of their AP courses in order to pass the final exams in May. you’re studying with a purpose” Myranda explains. Getting into In trying to handle the work overload of AP classes, study groups to prepare for tests can also help people get to know one of the largest struggles for students is time management. their classmates. This gives them the opportunity to arrange time Many students find themselves having to prioritize their time to have fun as well, but it is still up to the student. more toward AP classes, sometimes accepting that their gen- “It is not about getting into the classes, eral ed homework will not get done on time. AP Language and Composition takes precedence over Algebra, or AP Government it’s about learning the material.” over calligraphy. With deadlines, weekly tests, in-class essays, [ ] and concepts to remember throughout the year, students forget Some students take AP courses because it is like a to listen to the advice of their teachers: “You have to be willing college course without as much pressure. Mr. Aufort concurs, to put in more time, just couple hours a week to stay fresh and mentioning, “Taking AP classes in high school gives you practice retain the information throughout the year.” This is the voice of for college, more than anything else. This setting just makes it many AP teachers, put into words by Mr. Aufort, a first-year AP less threatening to students.” There is a higher level of think- Chemistry teacher. He explains that while teaching courses he has ing because everyone is trying to learn as much as they can as not thought about for years may be difficult at first, they give him effectively as possible. Logan Bryan, Junior, says, “It is not the opportunity to address the more interesting parts of chemistry about getting into the classes, its about learning the material.” AP and to run into new learning experiences everyday alongside his classes require students to not only study for the tests throughout students. the year, but also to retain the information for the final exam. AP classes are defined by the level of depth they delve After getting feedback from so many students in AP into that most general ed classes don’t reach. Not only are the classes, students want to know what the best study strategies concepts deeper, but they need to last until the test at the end of are. Teachers are ready to give this advice. The first thing most the year. Some students enjoy the fast pace, but others say they teachers say is that no matter what, don’t cram for an exam! It is would like it to slow down. Some teachers make their class seem important to refresh your memory on previous units all along the more important than other classes. Some people stress that in AP way. Being organized and reviewing any useful handouts given classes it is important to know as much information as possible to you throughout the year will save you more times than not. and keep it memorized throughout the year. Myranda Paquette, Students ought to be more willing to put in more time throughout Junior, says, “I just have to take a deep breath and realize that it the week. Every action and study habit must have a plan behind can’t all be done.” Surprisingly, many students agreed with this it, and must be striving toward the goal of passing the final exam statement, saying that one of the many skills AP taught them was at the end of the year.